Finding No. 2022-002: Annual Audit Submission Assistance Listing Program Title and Number: All Federal Agency: All Pass-through Entity: All Description of Finding: As per the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 200.512 - Report Submission, the audit must be completed and the data collection form and reporting package must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditors? report, or nine months after the end of the audit period. The due date for the submission was March 31, 2023. The audit and reporting package were not submitted by the due date March 31, 2023. Statement of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence: The Connection, Inc. agrees with these findings. Since October 2021, the finance department has turned over 75% of the accounting staff. These COVID resignations included two senior staff with a collective 25 years of historical knowledge. Due to the difficulty in filling these open positions and then the steep learning curve once filled, our backlog of work created significant delays in monthly reporting, which then led to delays in providing requested audit information. Corrective Action: The Connection, Inc. has instituted a comprehensive program whereby all finance department functions are cross trained with at least one other functional area to mitigate the impact of any one individual leaving the organization. We have also brought on a consultant to assist with the preparation of a detailed manual outlining the processes for all key functions performed and to evaluate current processes and practices for grants management, internal controls, financial reporting, and succession planning within the department. Name of Contact Person: Steve Abshire, Chief Financial Officer, 860-343-5500 x1110, skabshire@theconnectioninc.org will be responsible for completing the corrective action plan. Projected Completion Date: The anticipated date for completion of the corrective action plan is December 1, 2023. The corrective plan and its progress will be reviewed monthly until completed. After completion, the organization will continue to review/update policies/processes at least annually to ensure ongoing compliance.